Korean National Assembly Launches Investigative Inquiry: What You Need to Know About the 7 Key Scandals

On March 22, during a plenary session of the National Assembly, lawmakers moved to a vote to end the filibuster launched by the People Power Party to block a parliamentary probe into allegations that prosecutors fabricated indictments during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

The probe will examine the prosecution’s investigation and indictment processes in seven cases: the Daejang-dong development corruption, the Wirye New Town development corruption, allegations that former Minjoo Research Institute deputy director Kim Yong accepted bribes, Ssangbangwool’s remittances to North Korea, manipulation of real estate statistics, the shooting of a public official in the West Sea, and allegations of false reporting that defamed former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Institutions named in the probe include the Supreme Court, the Board of Audit and Inspection, the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Police Agency, and Ssangbangwool. During the special committee’s deliberations, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Yangcheon Police Station were added.

The investigation will last 50 days, from today through May 8, and can be extended by a plenary vote if necessary. The special committee will consist of 20 members apportioned according to party seat shares; Representative Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party will chair it. The committee will include 11 Democratic Party members, seven People Power Party members, and two members from non-major parties.

The People Power Party contends the probe is unconstitutional, arguing it violates Article 8 of the Act on Inspection and Investigation (which prohibits interference in trials and investigations). Nonetheless, the party says it will participate in the special committee to prevent a one-sided inquiry by the ruling party.

On the afternoon of the 21st, the National Assembly had tabled the probe plan in a plenary session, prompting the People Power Party to launch a filibuster. The Democratic Party filed a motion to end the unlimited debate at about 4:43 p.m. that same day, shortly after the filibuster began.

To force an end to a filibuster, lawmakers representing at least one-third of the full assembly must submit a signed petition to the speaker. After 24 hours, the assembly may vote; if at least three-fifths of all seated lawmakers approve, the filibuster ends.

The probe plan is expected to pass shortly after the filibuster ends this afternoon.